by John "Rain" Waters
Strap in the cockpit as we dive into the stories of the men and women who defend the freedoms we love. From the cockpit of military jets to boots on the ground. The Afterburn Podcast dives into their stories, the planes, and the missions. For Advertising Opportunities or more information visit: https://theafterburnpodcast.com/
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Publishing Since
1/24/2020
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April 27, 2025
<p>In Episode 133, John “Rain” Waters sits down with F-16 pilot Trent “Teddy” Meisel for a gripping and emotional conversation. Teddy walks us through his journey from small-town Oklahoma to the cockpit of the Viper, including a traumatic ejection over South Korea that nearly cost him his life. "Teddy" is also the founder of <a href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCncrQq-Y5waDNAkZb7CiKEg"> @4th_GenHuntingCo </a></p><p>This episode dives into the moment-by-moment chaos of that day in May 2023, when a systems failure during a combat exercise forced him to make the ultimate call—pulling the ejection handle. Teddy reflects on what went wrong, how his training kicked in, and what it’s like to come back from an ejection both physically and mentally. </p><p>Rain and Teddy also discuss the realities of Total Force Integration, life in a Guard unit, and the camaraderie forged through the crucible of flying fighters. Plus, hear how Teddy founded 4th Gen Hunting Co. and how the outdoors became part of his recovery journey. This is more than a story of survival—it’s a deep dive into resilience, pilot culture, and the unforgiving nature of modern air combat. 4th GenHuntingCo: </p><p><a href="https://www.4thgenhuntingco.com/">https://www.4thgenhuntingco.com/</a></p> <p><p>🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RPA Pilot 🎯 :<a href="http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast"> http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast 🛫</a></p><p>🔺 Aviation & Defense Newsletter - <a href="https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter">https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter</a> 🔺</p><p>✈ Your Pilot Destination E3 Aviation Association: <a href="https://bit.ly/E3Aviation">https://bit.ly/E3Aviation</a></p><p>Become a Patron, Support the Show, & Gain Exclusive Benefits: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcast">https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcast</a></p><p>Sponsors:</p><p>💉Take Control of Your Health with Whole Body Lab Testing: <a href="https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn">https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn</a> 🩺</p><p>🥷 Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | <a href="https://aura.com/afterburn">https://aura.com/afterburn</a> 14-day free trial</p></p>
April 18, 2025
<p>In this episode, Captain Troels “TEO” Vang joins The Afterburn Podcast host, John “Rain” Waters. As one of the most experienced F-16 pilots in the Royal Danish Air Force, TEO offers an in-depth look into the life of a European Viper driver with more than two decades of combat aviation experience. </p><p>From missions over Libya, Iraq, Syria, and the Baltics to leading Denmark’s F-16 solo display team across Europe, TEO shares powerful insights into tactical flying, military leadership, and the future of fighter aviation. He and Rain discuss the cultural and structural contrasts between the U.S. and Danish Air Forces, and how Denmark’s 37-hour workweek model may be the secret to long-term pilot retention. </p><p>TEO also unpacks the evolution of the Danish demo jet—including the iconic “Dannebrog” paint scheme honoring the world’s oldest national flag and the F-16’s 50th anniversary. Whether he’s intercepting Russian aircraft or wowing crowds at international airshows, Captain TEO exemplifies the mindset and mission of the fighter pilot brotherhood. Subscribe for more veteran stories, tactical airpower insight, and global combat aviation perspectives.</p> <p><p>🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RPA Pilot 🎯 :<a href="http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast"> http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast 🛫</a></p><p>🔺 Aviation & Defense Newsletter - <a href="https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter">https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter</a> 🔺</p><p>✈ Your Pilot Destination E3 Aviation Association: <a href="https://bit.ly/E3Aviation">https://bit.ly/E3Aviation</a></p><p>Become a Patron, Support the Show, & Gain Exclusive Benefits: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcast">https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcast</a></p><p>Sponsors:</p><p>💉Take Control of Your Health with Whole Body Lab Testing: <a href="https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn">https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn</a> 🩺</p><p>🥷 Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | <a href="https://aura.com/afterburn">https://aura.com/afterburn</a> 14-day free trial</p></p>
April 11, 2025
<p>In Part V of the SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) series, host Mike “Flash” McVay sits down once again with A-10 pilot Ridge "Kelso" Flick to dive deep into the critical role the Warthog plays in SEAD and close air support operations. Drawing from his extensive experience flying the A-10 in hostile environments, Kelso shares insights into how low-level tactics, survivability, and precision targeting come together in the face of modern air defense threats. From Cold War-era training to post-9/11 combat deployments, this episode explores how A-10 pilots adapted to evolving SAM and AAA threats while maintaining their mission to protect ground forces. Kelso’s perspective offers a unique look at the intersection of close air support and SEAD, highlighting the courage and coordination required in every mission.</p><p>Stay tuned and subscribe for more frontline stories and tactical lessons from the world of combat aviation and special operations.</p> <p><p>🛫 Become a Fighter/Bomber/Cargo/Tanker/RPA Pilot 🎯 :<a href="http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast"> http://bogidope.com/?bd=tappodcast 🛫</a></p><p>🔺 Aviation & Defense Newsletter - <a href="https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter">https://bit.ly/AfterburnNewsletter</a> 🔺</p><p>Become a Patron, Support the Show, & Gain Exclusive Benefits: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcast">https://www.patreon.com/c/theafterburnpodcast</a></p><p>Sponsors:</p><p>💉Take Control of Your Health with Whole Body Lab Testing: <a href="https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn">https://bit.ly/FunctionHealthAfterburn</a> 🩺</p><p>🥷 Scrub Your Info from Data Brokers & Protect Yourself | <a href="https://aura.com/afterburn">https://aura.com/afterburn</a> 14-day free trial</p></p>
E. Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello, Retired U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot
The Merge
Steve Davies
Brian "Casmo" Harris, US Army OH-58D/ AH-64E pilot
Ryan Fugit
Mike Young
Modern War Institute at West Point
John Stryker Meyer
dee takos
Aviation Week Network
Justin Siems
Circle Of Insight Productions
Jack Carr
Mike Ritland
Evergreen Podcasts | The Honor Project
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